Sheffield junior teams club together for hospital cause

Children from the Sheffield and District Junior Sunday League enjoy a game at Bramall Lane as part of the Blades' fundraising for The Children's Hospital Charity's Make it Better appeal.

Published:16:30Monday 27 April 2015Updated:07:00Friday 01 May 2015

More than 1400 young footballers teamed up with Sheffield United to raise thousands of pounds for Sheffield Children’s Hospital.

The unique partnership saw scores of youth players from the city’s junior leagues invited to watch the Blades’ home encounters with Colchester United, Peterborough United and Crewe Alexandra.

More than £7000 was made from ticket sales and part of the proceeds went to The Children’s Hospital Charity’s Make it Better appeal.

The donation is part of the club’s wider pledge to raise £25,000 for a private bedroom in the new hospital wing.

Dave McCarthy, operations director at Sheffield United, said: “We are always proud to support local charities and we’re delighted to have raised over £7000.

“It’s also fantastic to see that the club’s donation of tickets will also directly put money back into grassroots football in the city.”

The club donated 1400 match tickets to the hospital’s charity, which were then sold directly to clubs from the Sheffield and District Junior Sunday League.

The tickets were sold at a special price of £6, with £2.50 from each sale going towards the Make it Better appeal, £2.50 going directly to any junior club which sold tickets, and the remaining £1 going towards the league’s development fund.

Tchad Western, corporate fundraiser at The Children’s Hospital Charity, said: “We thank the Blades for their continued generosity and commitment.”

The Make it Better appeal aims to transform Sheffield Children’s Hospital by Spring 2016. This includes constructing a new wing, complete with mostly private rooms and parent beds so families can stay together at the most difficult times.